Exploring the Ghosts of New York City's Elevated Railroads

Tickets: $39.98 ( incl. $4.98 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to register for this event:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1985021759518

From 1867-1955, four different elevated railroads (aka "Els") traversed Manhattan, which provided the first true rapid transit to a city choked by traffic. From Civic Center to Chinatown and Little Italy to the Lower East Side, it's time to hit the streets and uncover the story of the long-departed transit routes that defined 19th-century NYC — and the hidden-in-plain-sight remnants that are still standing over 100 years later.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the downtown Manhattan remnants of the former elevated railroads that ran between Brooklyn and Manhattan — from the downtown portions of the 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue Elevated Railroads to the trains that ran across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Led by NYC Tour Guide Michael Morgenthal, our experience surrounding the Els of the past will include:

• How the Els came to be, and how they radically transformed neighborhoods such as the Civic Center, Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side
• The story of Allen Street, which was widened in the 1930s in part to alleviate the dirt, noise, and shadows caused by the elevated trains
• A discussion around the trains that ran across the Brooklyn Bridge, and how they influenced the design of the Municipal Building near City Hall
• A brief trip inside the NYC subway system to uncover secrets of its transit history (MetroCard swipe or OMNY card tap needed)
• The great transfer points that once existed including the City Hall Elevated spur and Chatham Square, the latter of which caused chaos and confusion for those looking to transfer between these two lines — for a fee!
• A walk past the ghosts of the Elevated, including a Manhattan power station hiding in plain sight

See you there!

*Since this tour access the subway system, a MetroCard swipe or credit card / OMNY card tap will be needed to enter the subway system
**Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!
***The tour ends at the corner of Grand and Allen Streets

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.
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Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours